Bill DeWeese

The shocking accusations from his former chief of staff that Bill DeWeese knew about illegal bonuses paid to caucus staffers for working on campaigns ignited a palpable buzz in the Capitol that could be felt from lobbyist scurrying in the rotunda to TV cameras focusing on the majority leader's office.

But the most pertinent question this fall isn't how Michael Manzo's "Bonusgate" testimony will affect Harrisburg.

Rather, it is: How will Manzo's accusation affect DeWeese's home district in Greene County, where he faces an already difficult re-election challenge against Republican Greg Hopkins?

It won't, according to DeWeese, who has denied any involvement in "Bonusgate." The majority leader told PolitickerPA.com in an interview that Manzo, who's also been indicted in connection "Bonusgate," already lost credibility with residents in the 50th Legislative District when his affair with Angela Bertugli, a local beauty queen, was made public in the attorney general's presentment.

After yesterday's allegations by Mike Manzo that Majority Leader Bill DeWeese know about the illegal Bonusgate payments I decided to ask a few Republicans and Democrats about what they thought of the situation. Most specifically, why would Manzo lie?

With his leadership position and career on the line, Bill DeWeese came out swinging today. Below are a copy of his comments this afternoon.

Mike Manzo's speculation that I knew about his criminal acts is absolutely false and there is no evidence to support his opinion. In fact, the grand jury described in detail the steps that those now charged took to keep their scheme secret.

House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County) fires back at his accuser in front of a fleet of reporters: Politicker Photo

Embattled House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese fired back at a former aide's accusation that he knew about illegal bonuses paid to House Democratic staffers, calling the accuser a "desperate, disgruntled former employee."

Michael Manzo, DeWeese's former chief of staff, made the explosive testimony Wednesday morning at a Dauphin County courthouse.

DeWeese started his prepared remarks, which he made just outside the state House after emerging from the chamber, by saying he would normally not comment on a court case.

"But because of the seriousness of the situation, let me say this: Mike Manzo's speculation that I knew about his criminal acts is absolutely false and there is no evidence to support his opinion," DeWeese said. "In fact, the grand jury described in detail the steps that those now charged took to keep their scheme secret."

HARRISBURG -- Testimony given by "Bonusgate" defendant-turned-witness Patrick Lavelle Jr. was swept away when Michael Manzo, the former chief of staff to House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, took the stand Wednesday to give his explosive testimony.

But the former aide to House Minority Whip Mike Veon (D-Beaver County) gave a detailed account in a Court of Common Pleas in Dauphin County of he alleges was his nearly full-time job as his boss' fundraiser while ostensibly working as a state employee.

Lavelle raised about $2.5 million for Veon, he testified, organizing fundraisers under the direction of his boss and Jeff Foreman, a former Veon aide. Anna Marie Perretta-Rosepink, who sat 15 yards from Lavelle as a defendant while he testified, helped him organize the events, he said.

House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County) will hold a press conference after the House ends session Wednesday, his spokesman confirmed.

DeWeese's former chief of staff Michael Manzo implicated his boss early Wendesday with "Bonusgate" when he said he "believes" his boss knew about the caucus scheme to distribute taxpayer-funded bonuses to state employees in return for campaign work. 

DeWeese, who faces a stiff challenge this fall against Republican Greg Hopkins in the 50th Legislative District, has denied any involvment in the scandal. 

UPDATED: House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese knew bonuses were illegally being paid to legislative staffers in exchange for political work, according to testimony given Wednesday by his former chief of staff Michael Manzo.

"I believe he did, yes," Manzo said.

DeWeese has repeatedly denied any involvement in "Bonusgate."

HARRISBURG -- House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese's (D-Greene County) leadership position has become a campaign issue as GOP candidates criticize Democrats for allowing DeWeese to stay in leadership after "Bonusgate" alleged widespread abuses in his caucus.

Some incumbent Democrats, most notably state Rep. Josh Shapiro (D-Montgomery County), have said publicly DeWeese's continued presence hurts the party as it tries to maintain its one-member advantage in the House.

But in an interview Tuesday with PolitickerPA.com, Todd Eachus, chairman of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, said the caucus does not instruct its candidates how they should treat the longtime party leader.

"As far as people calling for Bill's resignation, that's up to the individual member," the Luzerne County state representative said.